Firstly why St-Petersburg, Florida?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: St-Petersburg
• State: Florida
• Population: 265,098 people
• St-Petersburg’s quick summary would be Famous for its vibrant arts scene, beautiful waterfront parks, and the Salvador Dalí Museum.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 20,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 18,000 annually
• Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 8,000
• Number of Homeless people: 1,500

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it framed by artistic culture and waterfront attractions recruiting tourists and residents

Perk #1: St-Petersburg Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 37%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 55%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $59,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in St-Petersburg is $60,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $1000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & St-Petersburg’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 120 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,239
• Property Tax %: 1.06%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,400
• Rent for an average house: $2,400
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Downtown St. Petersburg
• Top 5 Growing Areas: St-Petersburg, Tampa, Gulfport, Pinellas-Park, and probably could include Treasure-Island
• Avg. Age of Homes in St-Petersburg: 59 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.9%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & St-Petersburg’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in St-Petersburg are  Tourism, Healthcare, and Retail
• St-Petersburg Job Scene: strong job market in healthcare and tourism
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech ecosystem with a concentration in arts, health tech, and local startups
• St-Petersburg Resident’s pay $1,400 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in St-Petersburg: 7%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 150 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 13

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in St-Petersburg

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-275 connects St. Petersburg to Tampa and the surrounding areas
• Commute Time: 29 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: slowdowns on 4th Street
• Transportation Score: 46 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in St-Petersburg: 140,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.5
• No. of Car Washes: 6 in and around the city
• DMV Website for St-Petersburg: flhsmv.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 72 of 100
• Local Airport: St. Pete-Clearwater International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: St-Petersburg’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in St-Petersburg is best described as has mild winters with cool temperatures and hot humid summers with occasional thunderstorms
• Winter Weather in St-Petersburg i’d describe as warm and rainy
• Spring Weather in St-Petersburg can be described as warm and humid
• Summer’s in St-Petersburg are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in St-Petersburg is usually warm and sunny
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 60 days in summer
• Days in a row in St-Petersburg below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 51 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality supported by coastal winds
• St-Petersburg Winter Air average air quality affected by urbanization

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: St-Petersburg Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in St-Petersburg 3
• While the number of trade schools inside St-Petersburgs’s city limits are 4
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the St. Petersburg Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & St-Petersburg Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
• Registered Full-Time St-Petersburg only Doctors is about 170
• Local Hospitals here is  11
• Full-time St-Petersburg only Police Officers is about 600
• Crime Rate Index: 30/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• St-Petersburg’s Monthly utility bill average is $140
• St-Petersburg’s Monthly Gym Membership: $50
• St-Petersburg’s Water Quality Score: 80

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in St-Petersburg

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 12 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: vibrant arts scene along the waterfront with cultural venues
• You might enjoy shows at the Mahaffey Theater
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), St-Petersburg  features a vibrant nightlife with local breweries bars and cultural events showcasing local talent

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of St-Petersburg

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes waterfront dining and a mix of casual eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 80 scattered around St-Petersburg
• The Popular Sports Team is St. Petersburg Rays
• Top Level Political Climate in St-Petersburg can be described as liberal coastal city with strong social justice initiatives
• St-Petersburg’s Longer standing religious establishment is St. Petersburg Christian Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: St-Petersburg Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know St-Petersburg has 60 Parks?
• Petersburg Waterfront Park is St-Petersburg’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market normally open Saturday 9am-2pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Beach activities, outdoor sports, and fishing

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: St-Petersburg Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in St-Petersburg can be described as relaxed urban pace with a strong arts scene and waterfront
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in St-Petersburg beach days artistic workshops local festivals
• The Cities people commute to from St-Petersburg are Tampa 18 miles away Clearwater 12 miles away Largo 5 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about St-Petersburg or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: slowdowns on 4th Street. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   St-Petersburg’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Downtown St. Petersburg is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby St-Petersburg are Tampa 18 miles away Clearwater 12 miles away Largo 5 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 30 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   St-Petersburg has 0 days in a row below freezing and 60 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in St-Petersburg people have an average (positive or negative) $1000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   1,500 homeless people living in St-Petersburg. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal coastal city with strong social justice initiatives could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to St-Petersburg.

Retiree & Senior Life in St-Petersburg

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access exemptions aimed at enhancing financial standing
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Fountains at St. Petersburg
• St Petersburg Senior Center hosts fitness classes recreational activities and social gatherings

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to St-Petersburg, Florida?

If St-Petersburg, Florida ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around St-Petersburg, Florida, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!